WILMINGTON, Mass. — Last night Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli said he didn’t expect Chris Kelly to be able to join the team until Thursday the earliest because of visa issues.

So as I sit at Ristuccia Arena 30 minutes before practice, here are a few things that’ve crossed my mind this morning:

•Let’s assume that Tomas Kaberle isn’t as pedestrian as he looked against the Bruins last night and Montreal last Saturday. And let’s assume the price for him isn’t more than a young roster player and a draft pick/prospect. Do we start to plan a June parade just because Kaberle’s back there skating next to Zdeno Chara or Dennis Seidenberg? No way.

This is not a knock on Seidenberg, Andrew Ference or Adam McQuaid. But none are a legitimate No. 2 defenseman, the likes we haven’t seen with Boston since 2008-09 Dennis Wideman. Kaberle at this point of his career isn’t even that guy.

Basically, the only way to upgrade the back end to make this defense corps championship-caliber is to go out and get two guys. Luckily, other than Chara and Seidenberg no one among Boston’s current defense group has a no-trade clause. So if it takes picks/prospects to sweeten a deal so the Bruins can upgrade from a Ference to a Ron Hainsey or Ed Jovanovski, or from a Johnny Boychuk to a Tom Gilbert, they have to do it.

I know, you’re all thinking I’m overreacting to Boston’s three-game losing streak. But they’ve needed help back there all season. We all know that Tim Thomas’ out-of-this-world play, and some guys playing above their expected performance level covered up a lot of blemishes the first four months of the season.

The Bruins need to add two top-four defensemen to really show they’re going for the silver chalice.

•I am by no means advocating the pursuit of Brad Richards, which sounds more like a Boston Globe fantasy. Nonetheless, if the Bruins want to get a jump on acquiring a player of Richards’ caliber to have an inside track on signing him in the summer, to me the Chris Kelly deal actually makes the opportunity to pursue a deal with Dallas more sensible, not less as many have suggested.

As previously constituted, obviously the Bruins couldn’t realistically chase Richards because Dallas would start talks by asking for a young veteran like David Krejci. Trading center-for-center made little sense before Kelly came to town. But now the Bruins have Patrice Bergeron, their third-line center (Kelly) and fourth-line center (Gregory Campbell) in place. If they had to surrender Krejci for Richards, basically they’d be upgrading their No. 1 center position without weakening their depth.

We can debate the merit of trading Krejci, who has one more year left on his deal, at this stage of his development. I would argue that Krejci will never grow into the player Richards is. We can debate whether Boston should take a chance Richards would just be a two-month-plus rental. I’d say Richards is probably too pricey for a rental and is an unlikely re-sign in Boston. And we can’t be sure the Stars will move Richards rather than re-sign him. They’ve suffered a 1-5-1 stretch and I’d say they could go either way between now and the deadline.

Nonetheless, the Kelly addition makes it more plausible to chase a player like Richards.

•This morning on Toucher and Rich on 98.5 The Sports Hub, Chiarelli said that no prospect is untouchable in trade talks. That’s a positive sign. If parting with Joe Colborne or Jordan Caron, or even Ryan Spooner or Jared Knight, helps pursue a major upgrade on defense or an explosive improvement up front, Chiarelli has to do it. The odds that all these prospects people are in love with from watching them in development camps and rookie games all becoming major contributors to a Stanley Cup-caliber team are pretty slim. Trading potential for a definite, veteran producer for the current squad is the only way to take the step to the next level.

At some point, the Bruins are going to have to make a difficult decision in a trade. The next two weeks might be the time to do that.

•Finally, and this has nothing to do with the on-ice product or the team at all, but I want to thank all my readers for making the last 30 days the most successful in TheBruinsBlog.net history. Yesterday I set a new record with more than 3,000 visitors and I have exceeded 14,000 unique visitors for the past month.

Obviously, that’s all a credit to you guys and your loyalty. And hopefully with this type of traffic I can begin to generate revenue some time soon and keep this blog going for a long time. If you or someone you know would be interested in advertising or sponsoring some contact, please email me using the form to the right of the page.

And thanks again to all my readers, those that agree with me and those that don’t.

Excellent blog Matt , best on the net!! Informative and well thought out your comments, (and to all the followers… an intelligent response from B fans.)
I think PC is a very smart man but cautious. Up here in the great white north of hockeyland, I have watched over years most of the CDN teams and with it Ottawa, PC’s original organization where he learned a few things about building a dead team to a near champion some time ago with the Sens. He wasn’t manager but he did tutor under the management and if memory recalls, the Sens were close for a few years but in the final series of their last chance some time ago, they sure looked outclassed by the Ducks. (BTW funny how the GM on the Ducks was a man named Burke.) I know it wasn’t his team but they didn’t bring the final pieces to get them over the top. Not sure if he is enough of a gambling man with making bold moves like his former bosses in Ottawa. Kelly’s alright but champions need at least 1 great goalie, 1 great D man and 1 great forward. We got maybe 2/3 but as much as I like the forwards they are not the clutch players that drag a team into another round. (Bergy and Recchi are close but Recchi I don’t think will be back next year, sad.) I hate seeing guys go but as you said you don’t have to love all of them, and even with the future guys, none except Sequin qualify as franchise players.
Here’s hoping something high on the richter scale hits Beantown this year. Every team has only a short window and the B’s window is narrow. So close but oh so far at the same time.
Great Blog, hope you get some more advertisers to keep you going!

Congratulations Matt! Best, source of news on the B’s. Been reading every day since I found it from the ESPN Boston blog 6 months ago, and come here for the breaking news and breakdown now. Thank God for this blog!

Congratulations, Matt. I’m not surprised at all. That’s why I stop here every day on the way to, and during work. (sorry, boss – Its the Bs)

Very interesting point about Kelly’s impact on the top lines. I had pretty much closed off the idea. From a talent standpoint – I’d love the Krecji and a couple cookies for Richards deal – with contract – (That’s a grandslam), but I’m not sure I see Dallas pulling the string. But – since we’re talking about the concept of replacing spots on the top line by adding in assets. I like the idea of cutting our losses (aka Versteeg) on Horton, adding a pick or kid or both and getting a Nash or Backes. Another grandslam. Sure is fun dreaming.

Congratulations Matt. Ever since I found this blog, I have it on my toolbar so it’s always just a click away.

Now, as far as trades go – I say this in every comments section – for what is out there, I really don’t think we can pull a trade to drastically improve the team. Weighing potential versus present day impact is something I think gets overlooked. Although chances are slim that you are going to find top tier players in the draft, I would rather have that chance in the future than giving it up to get a rental or ‘veteran’ who would help the team for a few years.

I would like to see the Bruins stand pat and hold onto their picks at the trade deadline. There are going to be some very solid free agents (eg; Kaberle) that we can pick up after Ryder and others come off of the books. After watching the two games against the Red Wings, it’s obvious the Bruins still are not at the ‘elite’ level and one or two moves will not win us a cup this season. No reason to waste prospects and picks.

With a team like the Oilers had, I would agree with the coaching comments but look at what Lemaire has done with the Devils.

The more I think about it, the more willing I would be to move Krejci. I question his intangibles. You wouldn’t see an Yzerman or Sakic complain publicly about their sticks when going through a drought. He just doesn’t bring it every night like Patrice does and what you would want from your number 1 center. Chiarelli needs to be bold here. He has the assets to do so and this city is dying for the Bruins to win. Only players that I wouldn’t be willing to deal would be 33, 37, the goalies and Seguin or the TOR pick

Unless you’re Pierre McGuire you would know that coaching is highly overrated. You could play the game without coaches and the best teams would still win. If two teams are completely equal than maybe the coach could help with matchups. It’s your core players that win championships not coaches. There’s a list of coaches on the cup but it doesn’t mean they were all great. Glen Sather was a great coach? No he opened the gate and got out of the way. That’s a great coach.

The Wild are about 4 or 5 pieces away from a contender in the West. Bruins are 1 or 2. Burns will be a FA after 2011-2012. There has been rumors around Burns since last spring. Very very solid 2 d, good 1. Not a franchise D-man.

“Where’s he been the past decade? Oh, that’s right… bringing an underachieving team to a Stanley Cup in 2006 and then turning the Flyers into the beasts of the East.”

The sarcasm wasn’t really necessary. It’s a perfectly legitimate question which, again, hasn’t really been addressed by the people calling for Claude’s head and obviously won’t be answered by talking about a guy who’s unattainable.

Too bad there weren’t any good coaches on underperforming teams available on the trading block.

Bylsma and Boudreau were also mid year coaching changes. Just a thought. As a player, you just get sick of listing to the same crap all over from your coach, a new enthusastic voice in the room could get the B’s going. There is something to be said about how flat the Bruins can come out during games. It seems like they have to fight to really get into it early. That speaks to coaches preparing them and leadership in the room. Chara and Bergy are great leaders on the ice but do they have that voice in the locker room? Krejci and Ryder are way too relaxed out there. Would love to see someone come in with grit and compete level with the skill to match like a Dustin Brown, Kesler or Ryan Callahan. Pipe dreams but we need someone with that mentality and skill

Love the idea of Brent Burns and Tom Gilbert on the D.
I agree that Kelly now make Krecji available to acquire the pieces needed, as long as one of those pieces is a true 1st-line player, center or wing.

It’s kinda late to change the coach. He will be fired if he doesn’t win the conference. I do have a guy in mind for next year. Dale Hunter. The guy is much more progressive than you would think. He’s in touch with younger players and his record in the ‘O’ is impressive. I think some of the guys have tuned Claude out. I don’t know. I do know you have to change the messenger sometimes. If the players think the coach is a lame duck then the ship is sinking.

Hey wasn’t there a guy who coached in PVD a few years back, raised in Franklin, heard he was pretty good… Labiolet? Leviolam? Lav…Laviolette! That’s it! Call that guy up! Where’s he been the past decade? Oh, that’s right… bringing an underachieving team to a Stanley Cup in 2006 and then turning the Flyers into the beasts of the East. Womp womp, guess we missed out.

Anyone who could help with the points on the PP would be great. In the Sharks, they went all out pressure on the points during the PK, with their D stepping to the half wall hard (aka taking away the easy pass for the Bruins D to make) . You see this PK a lot out of college teams because in college the d don’t have the skill or creativity to handle the pressure and nor do the Bruins, you give that much pressure to a Mike Green or Lidstrom, you will get burned. It was interesting to the see the comments out of the Red Wings and how they mentioned the great group of forwards and Tank but nothing about the D, except maybe about Z.

On the flip side…okay, assume Julien gets fired. Who exactly is this great savior coach who is currently unemployed who is going to come in to replace him? Plenty of people have been jumping on Julien on talk radio, at least, and everyone certainly have a right to that opinion, but I haven’t heard any names thrown around. I for one don’t want some random interim person from the minors to be plugged into the coach’s spot just for the sake of making a change. Those moves rarely work beyond a short term jolt in the arm. So who is the guy?

I’ll start this off by saying: Matt, your blog is awesome, I’m on here at least 10 times a day to read your insights, as well as the plethora of comments that readers leave. This is a more refined and (usually) more intelligent source of fan feedback. NESN.com has become a zoo.

You make a fantastic point about how the arrival of a legitimate #3 center in Kelly makes a guy like Krejci expendable in order to get another center. Krejci has never been the most physical, and at times holds the puck for too long. He did perform well in the playoffs last year… but it remains to be seen if he can take his finesse and his ice-vision to the level of a Brad Richards-type playmaker. My feeling is that he just needs someone speedy and reliable to develop chemistry with. I’d love to see the B’s go get Stephen Weiss and transition him to a wing role with Krejci… maybe have Horton play with a more defensively-sound veteran like Kelly who can help create chances off the forecheck. I’m just dreaming, obviously… but to restate the obvious, Chia has all the necessesary pieces to make the moves that solidify this club as a contender. Two first-rounders, a second-rounder, a dearth of prospects in the AHL and CHL, and young roster role-players that other teams could build upon… get it done, Chia.

i would like to see burns in a bruins sweater, younger and you bring up a good point that the minnesota boys could go home, plus burns is used to defending the faster paced western conf. teams.. maybe he could help teach some of the current bruins d corp. and of course.. fire julien, matt if you read this can you give your opinion on why no one is talking about replacing julien.. too late in the season or is everyone on board with his style.. i cant stand it. and no one else is talking about it, ill stop commenting about it if i im getting repetitve.. which i am, but so far no one has seemed to care

I’d prefer Pitkanen over Kaberle but I don’t expect a blockbuster as allot of Bruins fans expect from Chiarelli.

I would be happy with Hedjuk or Weiss but would be flippin over joyed with Richards but the price for this pending UFA would be to steep if Dallas didn’t let Chiarelli negotiate an extension.

Three depth moves is what I expect from with Kaberle or Brewer and Hedjuk or Weiss being the next two moves it would make the Bruins better than they are now. PC would only over pay a little versus way overpaying for Richards or Bogosian.

Kaberle isn’t the answer. Need a younger d-man. I would like to see Brent Burns for Wheeler, Stuart and either a prospect or a pick. Burns has one more year left on his deal. Wheeler and Stuart are both MN guys which makes them more likely to re-sign with the Wild.